Skip to main content
ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Pendleton, Oregon » Columbia Plateau Conservation Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #101475
Title: DIRECT SEEDING WINTER CANOLA INTO WHEAT STUBBLE

Author
item Wilkins, Dale
item WYSOCKI, DON - OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Columbia Basin Agricultural Research Annual Report
Publication Type: Experiment Station
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/1/1999
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Traditional Pacific Northwest dryland farming systems continue to degrade soil through erosion and loss of soil organic matter. An option for reducing soil degradation is to grow a broadleaf crop following wheat using reduced tillage systems. Stand establishment of broadleaf crops after wheat is one of the biggest challenges to developing these systems. Good seed germination and emergence is especially difficult to obtain when seeding a small seed broadleaf crop such as canola (Bassica napus) following wheat. The wheat crop depletes the soil of water and it is difficult to place small canola seeds consistently 0.75 inches deep through wheat straw and chaff. A field experiment was conducted using a special drill, designed for these harsh seedbed conditions and cutting the wheat residue into small pieces with a mower. Results indicated that canola was successfully established following wheat. This new system has potential use in the Pacific Northwest in falls with normal or above normal precipitation and would benefit the soil.

Technical Abstract: Traditional Pacific Northwest dryland farming systems continue to degrade soil through erosion and loss of soil organic carbon (SOC). Reduced tillage and elimination of fallow offer possible solutions to degradation of PNW soil. An option for maintaining SOC and reducing soil erosion is to rotate broadleaf crops with wheat in an annual cropping system. Stand establishment of broadleaf crops after wheat is one of the biggest challenges with this system. Good seed germination and emergence is especially difficult to obtain when seeding a broadleaf crop such as canola (Bassica napus) in the fall following wheat. Not only is there marginal seedbed soil water for germination, but management of wheat residue, often in excess of 10,000 kg/ha, is a challenge. A field experiment was conducted using a no-till drill to evaluate wheat residue management and seed placement on stand establishment of direct seeded canola. Factors included in the experiment were seed depth, within row soil disturbance, flailing residue and coulters mounted in front of the seed openers. Results indicated that adequate stands were obtained with proper seed depth but seed depth was influenced by within row soil disturbance, flailing residue and use of coulters.